Maldives Police Service has arrested 10 individuals from Faafu Nilandhoo Island in two separate anti-drug operations.

According to police, officers searched a house on the island under a court order following intelligence reports. Drugs were discovered hidden inside a film roll. Nine individuals present at the house at the time were taken into custody.

They were identified as Mohamed Visaal, 19; Mushhaf Mufeedh, 22; Ibrahim Looth, 20; Ali Nawaf, 21; Ahmed Abaan Ali, 20; Abdulla Laisham, 20; Ahmed Usman, 20; and Ibrahim Nafaaz, 26. All nine were presented to the court, which released one suspect while remanding seven others for 10 days. Visaal was remanded for 15 days.

In a separate operation, police arrested 19-year-old Mohamed Maaniu as he attempted to smuggle drugs into the island. The court remanded him in custody for 10 days.

Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing.